Alcohol abuse among youths worrying - Church

KABWE’S Christian Life Centre Bishop Davies Mulula has advised councils to ensure that the right of entry and opening of bars are observed as provided by Law, to reduce alcohol abuse among youths in the country.

Bishop Mulula observed that alcohol and substance abuse among youths could not be addressed when bars opened as early as 08 hours in the morning and the sale of alcohol to the underage was not controlled.

Commenting on President Hakainde’s concern on abuse of alcohol and drugs as presented to Parliament last week, Bishop Mulala said sensitization efforts on the effect of alcohol and drug abuse would only yield desired results when the law regarding age restriction on the sale of alcohol is enforced.

He noted that the church plays its role by preaching the negative effects of drug abuse and keeping the youth busy with religious programmes but noted that this alone could not prevent the young people from engaging in ill vices.

Bishop Mulula noted that the Zambian Law restricts the sale of alcohol to people below the age of 18.

Meanwhile, some residents of Kabwe have attributed the increase in alcohol and substance abuse to excitement due to music and peer pressure among the youths.

Berthar Silwamba charged that some local artists encourage the use of alcohol and other ill vices and that the youths want to be associated with such.

Silwamba said the situation would get worse if there were no controls in messages from the music artists.

And Arnold Phiri charged that some of the youths were just irresponsible and did not want to be productive but opt to drink and smoke.

Phiri also said that restrictions could help deter the youths from taking drugs.

But Ryod Mulenga said the increase in alcohol and substance abuse is due to what he termed low employment levels saying the youths who abused alcohol were those that have nothing to do.

Mulenga appealed to the government to establish recreation facilities for the youths.